The Basic Requirements for Florida License Renewal

To renew a Florida driver's license, you need to submit proof of identity, proof of Florida residency, your Social Security number, and your current license or a document showing your license number. You can renew in person at a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office, by mail, or online through the Florida DHSMV website — but not all renewal types work through every method.

The path you take depends on whether your license is still valid, how long it has been expired, and whether you have had any changes to your name, address, or medical conditions since your last renewal. Most people renewing before expiration can use the faster online or mail routes. If your license expired more than six months ago, you will need to renew in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need a current or expired Florida driver's license, proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number to renew.
  • Online and mail renewal are available only if your license is not expired or expired less than six months ago, and you have no name changes or medical updates.
  • If your license expired more than six months ago, you must renew in person at a DHSMV office and may need to retake the written test.
  • Florida driver's licenses are valid for eight years, and you can renew up to one year before expiration.

Documents You Will Need to Bring or Submit

Florida requires two forms of identification to renew. One must be your current or expired Florida driver's license. The second can be a U.S. passport, a passport card, a military ID, a state ID card from another state, a certified birth certificate, or a Social Security card.

You also need proof that you live in Florida. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a property tax bill, a homeowners insurance policy, or a bank or credit card statement showing your current Florida address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

Have your Social Security number ready — you will enter it on the renewal form whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you are renewing in person, bring the original documents or certified copies. For mail renewal, send copies, not originals.

Online Renewal: When You Can Use It

The Florida DHSMV website allows online renewal if your license is currently valid or expired less than six months ago. You cannot renew online if you have changed your name since your last license was issued, if you need to update your medical information, or if you are a commercial driver's license (CDL) holder.

Online renewal takes about 10 minutes. You will enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity. You will pay the renewal fee online — currently $48 for an eight-year license — and your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You do not need to visit an office or provide physical documents.

Mail Renewal: Documents by Post

Mail renewal follows the same rules as online renewal: your license must not be expired or must have expired less than six months ago, and you cannot have name changes or medical updates. You will need to complete the renewal form (available on the DHSMV website), include copies of your identity and residency documents, and mail everything to the address listed on the form.

Include a check or money order for the renewal fee. Do not send cash. Mail your packet to the DHSMV address provided on the form, and expect your new license to arrive in 7 to 10 business days after the office receives and processes your process. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.

In-Person Renewal at a DHSMV Office

You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than six months, if you have changed your name, if you need to update medical information, or if you are a CDL holder. You will also need to renew in person if you want to change your address, add or remove restrictions, or update your organ donor status.

Bring your original identity and residency documents to a DHSMV office. You will complete a form, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee. The office will issue your new license on the spot or mail it within a few days, depending on the office's procedures. If your license has been expired for more than six months, you may be required to pass the written knowledge test again.

When Your License Has Been Expired for More Than Six Months

If your Florida license expired more than six months ago, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must go to a DHSMV office in person. The office may require you to retake the written test to confirm you still know Florida traffic laws and road signs. You will not need to retake the road test unless your license was suspended or revoked.

Bring all required identity and residency documents, your Social Security number, and be prepared to pay the renewal fee. The written test takes about 20 minutes and covers the same material as the original test. You will receive your new license the same day or by mail shortly after, depending on the office.

Renewal Fees and How Long Your New License Lasts

A standard eight-year Florida driver's license renewal costs $48. If you choose a four-year license instead, the fee is $24. The fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, so you do not have to wait until the expiration date.

Your new license will be valid for eight years from the date of renewal (or four years if you choose the shorter term). Your expiration date will be printed on the front of your license. If you renew before your current license expires, the new expiration date will be eight years from the renewal date, not eight years from the old expiration date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Florida license online if I changed my name?

No. Name changes require an in-person visit to a DHSMV office. Bring your current or expired license, proof of your name change (such as a marriage certificate or court order), and proof of residency. The office will update your name and issue a new license.

What happens if I let my license expire for more than a year?

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to renew in person and retake both the written and road tests. You will also need to pay the renewal fee. Bring all required documents to a DHSMV office to start the process.

How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?

Whether you renew online or by mail, your new license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days after the DHSMV processes your process. If you renew in person, you may receive your license the same day or within a few days by mail, depending on the office's procedures.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

If you renew online or by mail, the DHSMV will use your photo from your current license. If you renew in person, you will have a new photo taken at the office. You cannot bring your own photo.

Can I renew my commercial driver's license online?

No. Commercial driver's license (CDL) renewals must be done in person at a DHSMV office. Bring your current CDL, proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. You may need to retake the written test depending on your renewal category.